Battery Passport Requirements for BESS: What It Is and Why Your Systems Must Comply

By 2027, all industrial batteries and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) in the EU will require a Battery Passport. Here’s what a Battery Passport is, what it includes, and how we as providers can prepare.

The Battery Passport has taken center stage as a key regulatory tool for the energy storage sector. Introduced under the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the Battery Passport acts as a certificate of accountability, tracking energy storage units from production to end-of-life. From February 2027 onward, these records will be a requirement for all industrial-grade batteries in the European Union.

As such, it’s imperative that energy storage providers across the EU begin working toward compliance. This article highlights the key points that all BESS providers will need to know as the February 2027 deadline approaches.

Infographic illustrating key elements of the EU Battery Passport, including unique identifier, performance data, material profile, carbon footprint, and end-of-life information.

What is in a Battery Passport?

The Battery Passport is a digital record or profile that provides detailed information about a battery’s origin, composition, performance, and environmental impact. For BESS, it means that transparency and compliance across the supply chain are absolutely essential.

Key information required in the Battery Passport:

  • Identification: Each battery is assigned a unique identifier, along with details on its model, type, and manufacturer. From now on, every battery will be easily identifiable; just like a real passport.

  • Performance data: Information on State of Charge (SoC), State of Health (SoH), and durability to track how the battery performs over time.

  • Material profile: Insights into its composition, including the share of recycled content and the origin of critical raw materials.
  • Carbon footprint: Verified carbon emissions linked to its production. This reflects the importance of transparency in BESS once the Battery Passport becomes a mandatory requirement in 2027.
  • End-of-life guidance: Data to support repair, reuse, repurposing, and recycling when the battery is no longer in service. This is one of the key elements of the Battery Passport, as it directly reflects mainstay elements of the European Green Deal: value-chain circularity across all sectors.

Will the Battery Passport be mandatory for all BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems)?

Yes. All industrial and large-scale BESS systems placed on the EU market, including in the Netherlands, must comply with the Battery Passport’s requirements. This ensures that every energy storage solution adheres to EU sustainability and circular economy standards.

Key regulatory milestones for BESS:

  • 18 August 2025 – Enforcement of supply chain due diligence and waste battery management.
  • 18 February 2026 – Carbon footprint reporting requirements for rechargeable industrial batteries.
  • 18 February 2027 – Mandatory Battery Passport enforcement for industrial batteries and BESS.

These milestones hold BESS providers accountable for meeting the EU’s sustainability and traceability objectives.

How to prepare your Battery Passport

Preparing for the new regulations in February 2027 will mean developing a comprehensive understanding of your batteries across the entire value chain. Here are some key details you’ll need to take into account:

  • Keeping clear and accurate information about your battery systems
  • Understanding your supply chain and the sourcing of key materials
  • Monitoring battery performance, maintenance, and end-of-life options
  • Incorporating Battery Passport data into your existing BESS management processes

It’s worth taking a step back to look at why the EU is introducing these rules in the first place. The Battery Passport is intended to act as a tangible way for energy storage providers to directly support transparency and sustainability in the EU. At the same time, it’s a chance to build real trust with your clients. By making batteries traceable and supporting a circular economy, the Battery Passport is set to reshape the industry.

The key takeaway? Adopting Battery Passports now will not only ensure compliance with EU regulations by February 2027, but also strengthen transparency, improve supply chain traceability, and demonstrate a real commitment to sustainability.